Whatever SMS gateway you use, Indonesia requires alphanumeric sender IDs (called "masking") to be registered with each mobile operator before use, through an approved aggregator. As of 2026, traffic from unregistered sender IDs is blocked on the main networks, and registration takes about three to four weeks.
Rules last checked: October 2026.
Sender ID registration
National policy for SMS is set by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi, formerly Kominfo), and the operators enforce it. Each sender ID is approved per operator, so one network may accept a sender that another rejects. Registration runs through your SMS provider, and the documents differ by operator and by whether the sender is local or international. For local companies, providers typically ask for:
- a letter of authorization (LOA) on letterhead with a wet signature, company stamp and duty stamp (materai), recent (operators reject old letters);
- the company tax ID (NPWP) in the name of the company that owns the sender ID, and for some operators the business number (NIB);
- the company website or app, sample content and traffic type;
- sector licences where relevant, for example an OJK letter for banks and fintech, or BAPPEBTI for trading and crypto companies.
International companies have a lighter process on some networks but can be rejected or reclassified if the operator decides the brand is headquartered abroad. Our guide to sender ID registration covers the general process.
Sender ID rules and replacement
| Rule | What operators expect (as of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 11 characters, spaces and punctuation included |
| Name | Linked to the brand; personal names and generic words such as INFO or PROMO are rejected |
| Number of IDs | Usually one per company; more need a reason and operator approval |
| Activity | Sender IDs left unused for about three months can be closed (stated for XL) |
| Numeric senders | Best effort only; operators may overwrite them with a random ID |
Dynamic sender IDs are not supported. Keep traffic flowing on every network where the ID is registered, because low volume can lead to deprovisioning. More on formats in SMS sender ID types.
Content and consent
Every message must name the brand, app or service in the text. "Your OTP code is 123456" is rejected, "Your BrandName code is 123456" is accepted. Operators review the sender name together with its use case, so do not send promotions on a sender registered for transactional traffic: misclassifying traffic is a quick way to get a sender suspended. Content that is misleading, offensive or that infringes third-party rights is not allowed, and providers prohibit gambling, adult, political and religious content, alcohol and controlled substances. Avoid phone numbers in the body.
Indonesia's personal data protection law (UU PDP) requires explicit, informed consent before processing personal data, so collect opt-in for marketing and honour opt-outs quickly. Supporting STOP and the Indonesian BERHENTI is common practice. See SMS content restrictions for how filters treat sensitive categories.
Mobile networks and delivery
The main mobile operators are Telkomsel, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and XLSmart (formed in 2025 from the merger of XL Axiata and Smartfren). Operators require A2P traffic to come through aggregators they have approved and have been blocking grey routes that carry A2P as person-to-person SMS. Those messages often show as delivered in the sender's platform while never reaching the handset, a pattern described in fake DLR. Unicode support depends on the route: some providers only support UCS-2 on internationally registered senders, so keep Bahasa Indonesia messages in GSM-7 where possible.
OTP traffic
Register the sender for OTP use on every operator you need, include the brand name in each message, and keep the text short and free of links. Test delivery and latency per operator before launch with the steps in how to test an SMS route, and keep a fallback channel as described in OTP fallback.
VoIPMatcher sources A2P SMS routes from its carriers and manages them, and buyers and sellers never see each other. Tell us your sender ID, the operators it is registered on and your traffic type. See the Indonesia SMS destination page or request an Indonesia SMS route.
Frequently asked questions
What is SMS masking in Indonesia?
SMS masking is the Indonesian term for sending from an alphanumeric sender ID, such as a brand name, instead of a number. Each masking ID must be registered with each mobile operator through an approved aggregator before use, and as of 2026 traffic from unregistered sender IDs is blocked on the main networks.
How long does sender ID registration take in Indonesia?
About three to four weeks. Each operator approves separately, so one network may accept a sender that another rejects. Local companies typically need a recent letter of authorization with wet signature, company stamp and duty stamp, the company tax ID (NPWP) and, for some operators, the business number (NIB).
Why was my OTP rejected in Indonesia?
The most common reason is a message that does not name the brand, app or service. A text like Your OTP code is 123456 is rejected, while Your BrandName code is 123456 is accepted. Sending promotions on a sender registered for transactional traffic can also get it suspended. Keep OTP text short and free of links.
Can a sender ID be closed for inactivity in Indonesia?
Yes. Sender IDs left unused for about three months can be closed, a rule stated for XL, and low volume can lead to deprovisioning on other networks. Keep traffic flowing on every operator where the ID is registered, or plan to register again before a campaign if it has been idle.
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